Maternity and Feeding Support Pillow

ABSTRACT

The invention, as described herein, is a combination maternity and feeding support pillow, which will relieve muscle stress and ligament strain on the expectant and/or nursing mother. Pregnancy places a great amount of strain on a woman&#39;s body; therefore, the support pillow is designed to mold into a variety of positions, making it particularly useful where the range of motion of the user is limited. 
     Additionally, the moldable design will make the support pillow particularly useful for nursing and bottle feeding, as range of motion remains limited even after childbirth. This is especially applicable in the event of a cesarean section. The pillow can easily be adjusted with one hand and its flexible design supports all nursing positions, including tandem feeding.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

Provisional application No. 62/186,598, filed on Jun. 30, 2015

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pregnancy and nursing can cause a significant amount of strain on a woman's body. The invention disclosed herein; a maternity support pillow, will help to alleviate the strain put on a woman's back, hips, and abdominal region. Additionally, many women suffer from restless leg syndrome during pregnancy, making it imperative that the support pillow may allow them to stretch their legs throughout the night. The ruched, expandable panel that connects the two pillow bodies as, described herein, will allow for this.

Doctors recommend that expectant mothers sleep on their side, preferably the left side, to promote maximum blood flow to the developing fetus. The pillow described herein is capable of supporting this position, when used as back and belly support.

It should also be noted that the pillow will provide flexible feeding support. While the pillows disclosed in the prior art are firm and inflexible in nature, this pillow is moldable and therefore supports a wide range of biologically instinctive feeding positions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The descriptions herein refer to a combination maternity and feeding support pillow. It should be noted that the invention is unique in design and may be used in a variety of ways, as will become apparent when reviewing the included descriptions, along with the accompanying drawings.

One embodiment is a dual-sided, compact pillow, capable of supporting the mother in a wide range of positions, as described herein.

Another embodiment is a moldable, flexible feeding pillow, suitable for supporting both nursing and bottle feeding.

The following comprehensive description, along with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention shall be understood when the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is considered.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, illustrating a view of a combination maternity and feeding pillow, detailing some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, illustrating the same as FIG. 1, but showing how a removable cover may be utilized for convenience.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the combination maternity and feeding pillow, illustrating a user utilizing the pillow in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a user utilizing the combination maternity and feeding pillow as a nursing support, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a user utilizing the combination maternity and feeding pillow as a back and belly support, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments include a maternity and feeding support pillow, designed to bring comfort to a pregnant woman, by supporting the body in such a way that will relieve ligament and joint pain, as well as provide support after pregnancy by allowing a woman to nurse or bottle feed in a wide variety of biologically instinctive feeding positions.

The embodiments provide a pillow configured to support the doctor recommended side laying position, in order to promote maximum blood flow to the developing fetus. Some women find this position uncomfortable, due to the weight of their belly pulling on their spine and ligaments. The embodiments herein will illustrate how this pillow will relieve that strain.

After pregnancy, a new mom must quickly learn how to feed her baby. Whether she chooses to breastfeed or bottle feed, the pillow described herein will provide flexible support, allowing the mother to experiment with a wide range of feeding positions. It will also allow a mother to feed comfortably on many different surfaces, including a rocking chair, couch, bed, or recliner.

It should be noted that the presented embodiments may be practiced without some or all of the specific details provided herein. Conversely, well-known operations have not been described in detail in order to maintain clarity of the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, illustrating a view of a combination maternity and feeding pillow, detailing some embodiments of the invention. Pillow 102 includes two pillow bodies, joined together with an expandable center portion 103. Center portion 103 is connected to the pillow by seams 104 and 105. Pillow surface 101 provides a supportive cushion for both maternity and feeding use. Ribbon ties 106 add to the ornamental design and allow the user to tie the two pillow bodies together for transport and laundering.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, illustrating the same as FIG. 1, but showing how a removable cover 110 may be utilized for convenience. The stretchy band 109 and slit portion 107 will allow for easy installation and removal of cover 110. Closure 108 allows for proper fit around entry point at corresponding seam 105.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the combination maternity and feeding pillow, illustrating a user utilizing the pillow in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Pillow 102 is used to provide support to the knee and thigh region, as well as the abdominal region, with user resting these areas on pillow surface 101. The expectant mother will experience a vast improvement in the comfort level of regions 111 and 112.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a user utilizing the combination maternity and feeding pillow as a nursing support, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Pillow 102 is used as support for the nursing mother's arms and she holds her baby in a biologically instinctive feeding position 113, which promotes skin to skin contact and mother/baby bonding. Section 103, joined to the pillow bodies 102 by seams 104 and 105, is adjustable, providing flexible feeding support.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a user utilizing the combination maternity and feeding pillow as a back and belly support, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Pillow surface 101 supports an expectant mother's back 116 and abdominal region 115. 

1. A compact support pillow; comprising: two circular pillow bodies, wherein the pillow bodies are filled with batting, wherein the two pillow bodies are joined in the center by an expandable panel, wherein the two pillow bodies may be tied together by ribbons, affixed to the outermost portion of each pillow body.
 2. A support pillow, as in claim 1, wherein the pillow sides are bodies are joined by a ruched, expandable center portion.
 3. A support pillow, as in claim 1, wherein the two opposing pillow sections may be joined together by independent ribbon ties.
 4. A support pillow, as in claim 1, wherein a removable cover may be added.
 5. A support pillow, as in claim 1, wherein the pillow bodies may be adjusted independently from one another.
 6. A maternity support pillow, wherein the pillow may be used independent of the user's standard head pillow.
 7. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the abdominal region of the user.
 8. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the abdominal region and back region of the user simultaneously.
 9. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the abdominal region and legs of the use simultaneously.
 10. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the knees of the user.
 11. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the knees and the ankles of the user simultaneously.
 12. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 to support the head and the torso region of the user simultaneously.
 13. A method; for using the pillow of claim 6 as lumbar support when driving or sitting for long periods of time.
 14. A feeding support pillow; wherein the pillow supports skin to skin contact and a variety of biologically instinctive nursing positions.
 15. A support pillow, as in claim 14; wherein the top portion of the pillow is ostensibly flat, allowing the user to rest their arms on each pillow surface and hold the baby in a natural cradle position.
 16. A method; for using the pillow of claim 14 in a cross-legged position; wherein the user will place one pillow body between the knee and the opposing ankle and the opposite pillow body on their lap. The stretch portion in the middle of the pillow will allow the user to adjust the placement of the top pillow to meet the desired position.
 17. A method; for using he pillow of claim 14 for nursing or bottle feeding twins in the tandem position; wherein the mother will hold each baby in the football hold position and use the pillow stretched across her lap; wherein each pillow body will independently support each baby.
 18. A method; for using the pillow of claim 14; wherein the user, while sitting in a chair, will place one pillow body behind their back for support and will place the other pillow body between their torso and the arm of the chair. This method will support the football hold and cradle feeding positions.
 19. A method; for using the pillow of claim 14; wherein the user, while sitting in a chair, will place one pillow body behind their back for support and will place the other pillow body on their lap. This method will support the football hold and cradle feeding positions.
 20. A method; for using the pillow of claim 14; wherein the user will use one pillow body as head support and the one pillow body as back support when nursing in the side-laying position. 